Diana Mancel (left) and volunteers poring over scores of museum items – Contributed photo

Celebrating its 50th year as a museum in 2016, the San Juan Historical Society and Museum is concentrating on 2017 as the year to prepare the archives, buildings and grounds for the next 50 years.  In January, twenty volunteers began working on the real foundation of the museum:  the archival collection. 

Every day, even when it was snowing, volunteers trooped into the Etta Egeland Resource Center to spend two hour shifts sorting through a variety of documents, artifacts and historic treasures to place the objects into a category to be addressed later in the project timeline.  Long-time volunteers and island residents joined with new volunteers and newcomers to the island as we pondered over some of the objects, shared island stories, and participated in this very necessary endeavor.  

After 232 volunteer hours, three weeks and 150+ boxes of materials, it was time to move on to the next phase:  the 3,000+ photos in the collection.  Volunteers returned to the workspace, sifting through stacks of vintage and modern photos, sorting and recording.  This phase will carry the project to March 12th.  Concurrently with the photo project will be specific research on artifacts, document file organization, and inventorying the vintage books in the collection. 

Volunteers for this project do not need any archival or historic training.  We are grateful for the tremendous response of volunteers, but there is always room for more!

As the Archival Project continues, the process of preparing for the spring and summer season also begins.  Additional volunteers are needed in these areas: Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson shares this article on tiny homes…

Tiny Home, Park Model RV, Trailer, Recreational Vehicle  What is it?

A tiny house – Contributed photo

If you have been watching HGTV recently, you have been exposed to the latest craze of the Tiny Homes.

As an agent I have received numerous inquiries about how San Juan County will regulate this new industry. I have processed some research which I have shared below:

Will it be possible to buy 5 acres and install 20 tiny homes and rent them out as nightly or monthly rentals?

For detailed answers to this and other questions, continue reading… (PDF)

Just got this note from Sarah Hansen to share with you…

Carnevale – A Masquerade Ball at the Fairgrounds this Saturday!

Carnevale, a Venetian-themed masquerade ball kicks off its first annual bash this Saturday, February 25th at 7:30 pm at the Fairgrounds main building. The host is a fledgling non-profit, On Sacred Ground, hoping to build Carnevale to an annual fundraising gala for permaculture activities and events in the islands. A costume and masque are required to attend, but anything goes in the costume department. There are even prizes for the best overall costume and best masque!!

Tickets are $25/person, available online at: https://onsacredground.yapsody.com/ and are also available at the door.

Your ticket includes sumptuous appetizers, desserts and one alcoholic beverage. Kulshan Brewery out of Bellingham is sponsoring beer, and we will have a Pacific Northwest wine selection for the bar. DJ Mike spins some funky beats, tarot card readings and portraits will be happening, and a fire spinner will be performing! Don’t miss it! For a “How to Carnevale”, visit our facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/howtocarnevalefridayharbor/

Thank you, Sarah Hanson

Here’s an invitation letter to all you ladies in town from Courtney Oldwyn…

Dear San Juan Update,

I’m hoping you’ll help Booboo and I get the word out about an upcoming fundraiser we’re planning! All proceeds will go toward financial hardship scholarships for her women’s and high school girl’s boxing classes. Booboo has been teaching boxing for exercise classes for the past few years and recently moved her operation to the San Juan Health Club. Her goal is that no one is ever unable to attend classes due to the inability to pay. We’re hoping to raise enough money for scholarships that Booboo can continue to offer these great classes to as many island women and girls as possible!
The event is a Ladies’ Casino Night at Tops’l Sushi and Seafood on Sunday, March 5 from 5-9p.m.

We will have Texas Hold ‘Em, Five Card Draw and Blackjack tables. If you’re not an experienced poker player, don’t worry! We will have beginner tables complete with cheat sheets and helpful gentlemen dealers. (The friendliest, hottest guys dealing cards in all of Friday Harbor!)

The sushi chefs at Tops’l will be providing small, appetizer size plates for $5 each. Everyone’s favorite Irish bartender, Jimmy will be pouring beer, wine, champagne and cocktails too. We’ll also have raffles, auction items and prizes for winning poker players!

For any ladies who are serious card players we’re offering a High Roller table at $60 per seat. This will guarantee a seat for the entire night, includes five drink/food or raffle tickets AND our high rollers can cash out their winnings for money at the end of the night!

For details or reservations contact Courtney Oldwyn, (541) 760-5534 or courtneyoldwyn [@] gmail.com

Thanks so much,
Courtney Oldwyn

Public Hospital District Commissioners from Left to Right: Michael Edwards, Barbara Sharp, Bill Williams, Monica Harrington and Mark Schwinge

The public hospital district board voted 3-2 Wednesday night to explore the possibility of contracting with Planned Parenthood for reproductive health services not offered by Peace Island Medical Center, at a possible cost of up to $50,000 a year.

In the resolution Monica Harrington and Barbara Sharp were named as a subcommittee to talk with local Planned Parenthood representatives and report back to the board.

A standing-room-only crowd overflowed the meeting room, and two other rooms with closed-circuit TV were pressed into service. The large crowd was for the most part quiet and respectful through the long meeting, and 14 citizens lined up at the end to give their comments.

A contentious discussion over the resolution lasted an hour, and other hospital district business took over an hour before the discussion even started.

Harrington and Sharp and board chair Bill Williams voted for the resolution; Mark Schwinge and Michael Edwards voted against it.

It’s time for this month’s edition of Chamber Chat, written by Gail Schnee – Chamber of Commerce Board President & Co-Owner of Cotton Cotton Cotton and Becki Day, Chamber Executive Director…

February is here and even with the wet weather we are experiencing, I don’t think it has dampened our spirits! We are all gearing up and excited for the 2017 Season! Cotton Cotton Cotton just re-opened on February 17th, a little later than usual due to some family obligations, but we are so happy to be back and looking forward to seeing what this new year will bring. 

We have discovered, like I am sure every one of you know, that every year is different. So I am trying to be organized early, getting my taxes done and I have been busy thinking about new merchandise, marketing strategies and trying to make this year the best yet. 

The social and quarterly lunch schedules have been mailed and mark your calendars! Come to the Chamber Quarterly Luncheon on Monday, February 27th, noon, at Brickworks, to hear Town Administrator, Duncan Wilson, give his yearly state of the Town. We will be treated to a great lunch by The Market Chef. 

There are some changes already happening around town, the new pocket park has started construction and new businesses are opening and some are moving locations. It is a new beginning; better weather is coming and lets all work together to make this the best year yet! 

New Members:  Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Food Cooperative board is seeking business-minded members of our community to serve as board members. The current board feels the coop is at a place where infrastructure expansion and operations growth are imminent, and having board members with business and/or professional background will better prepare the coop for these challenges. There are three board seats opening up at this next election cycle.

The San Juan Island Food Co-op strives to provide access to local and regional food and goods that are organic, sustainable and fairly produced with the smallest carbon footprint. The Co-op encourages conscientious consumption and nurtures community connections.

The volunteer board meets monthly on the third-Monday, and the meetings last around 2-hours. The Annual Meeting and elections are held in late March. The co-op is fiscally healthy, doing well in its mission, and serves an important role in our community.

If you are interested in helping with this organization’s success, feel free to contact any of the current board members below: Continue Reading

Whitney Leschine February 22, 1935 – February 11, 2017

Please join us for a Memorial for Whitney Leschine at the Friday Harbor LDS Church, 1013 Lampard Road.

February 25th, 2017 at 3:30 p.m.

Preparation is underway for the Spring Street Pocket Park Project

Construction Update
February 21, 2017

This is a construction update on what to expect today through the remainder of the week.

Staging for the Spring Street Pocket Park Project began Monday, February 20, 2017. The Contractor (Mike Carlson Enterprises) is preparing the site for installation of the Spring Street Pocket Park. The Contractor is currently lowering the stormwater manhole located at the site.

A notice for construction of the Spring Street Pocket Park will be posted later this week.

What to expect the week of February 20th to February 24th: Continue Reading

Scholars at the 2015 Youth Rally including Ray Doss (second from left) from Orcas High and Gabi Hackett-Carver (third from left) from Orcas Christian School – Contributed photo

Opalco Scholarship Amount Doubled: $1,000 + Applications Due March 31

2016 Scholars at the Youth Rally awards banquet. From left: Tenley Nelson and Ryanne Pluff (Friday Harbor High), Ray Doss and Anneke Fleming (Orcas High) – Contributed photo

Applications are now being accepted for OPALCO’s Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Program. Thanks to the generosity of the family of Nourdine Jensen on San Juan Island, the OPALCO scholarship amount is doubled in 2017 to $1,000. In addition, Nourdine Jensen Scholars spend an all-expenses paid week at the Youth Rally in Idaho, a Co-op Leadership Camp that includes the opportunity to earn additional scholarship awards. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2017.

OPALCO established the Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Program in 2010 to honor longtime Co-op board member Nourdine Jensen. The program is open to sophomores and juniors of OPALCO member households.

The Youth Rally is a fun-packed week of activities including a day at the water park, roller skating, volleyball, bowling, social dances, team-building games and educational sessions on leadership, grassroots governance and the power industry. The College of Idaho campus is an ideal home base for this summer adventure.

Past scholars have said:

“My sense of the world was changed …”
–Brodie Miller, Spring Street School

“I made friendships that will last a lifetime…”
–Cameron Schuh, Orcas Island High School

“I had an amazing time at the Rally. They did a perfect job of balancing education and fun.”
–Marné Cook, Lopez High School

It’s easy to apply: Continue Reading

EDC offers free workshop on business feasibility for entrepreneurs

All entrepreneurs wonder if there is a market for their business ideas, or if they will make money from them. Join the San Juan County Economic Development Council for a FREE workshop to learn more about Business Feasibility, on February 28th from 10-11:30 a.m. on Orcas Island, sponsored by Island Market and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Advance registration is required.

One of the most important steps for entrepreneurs in starting their new businesses is to assess their ideas’ feasibility, to minimize risks and to increase their businesses’ potential for success. This workshop will be led by Tony Salas of the SBDC, and a management consultant for over a decade. The course will cover the steps necessary to assess the market, manage risk, determine economic and technological feasibility, and to ensure greater success for a startup or business expansion.

Details: Orcas Island, Tuesday, February 28th from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Orcas Island Fire Department. Free workshop; advance registration is required: https://edcfeasibility.eventbrite.com. Questions: 360-378-2906 or info [@] sanjuansedc.org.

The EDC thanks the SBDC, Island Market, San Juan County government, our ports, the Town of Friday Harbor, Heritage Bank, Islanders Bank, Island Market, and the Department of Commerce for their support of this workshop.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community. The EDC works to build an environment that helps business owners create jobs. We serve business: linking organizations and resources, providing valuable information, rendering assistance and advocating for an improved island business environment.

Friday Harbor High School Athletic Director Rod Turnbull shares this update on high school sports winter playoffs…

As we head into the last two weeks of the winter post season, our Girls basketball team is still competing.

See below for details on Wrestling, Girls Basketball and Boys Basketball: Continue Reading

Julie Hagn at the Dance Workshop 2 studio – Tim Dustrude photo

Spring Street School 2012 graduate and long time islander Julie Hagn is back from college and teaching dance at Dance Workshop 2.

Passionate about dancing which she says is her first love, Julie has been dancing since the age of 3. She was classically trained in ballet when living in California and then, after moving here at age 10, studied varieties of dance locally with Selena Forster, Lina Downes, Bill Ament and Lisa Duke. Before graduating from high school Julie also studied and performed with Northwest Ballet Theatre in Bellingham, Opera Pacifica and Oregon Ballet Theatre. She has trained with the Rockettes and studied under multiple teachers/choreographers in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and NYC. 

Julie graduated from Saint Olaf College in Minnesota last year with degrees in both Psychology and Dance. Julie has worked with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in NYC and the Ordway Theatre in Minneapolis in both arts education and workshop/event coordination. She came back to Friday Harbor in September and has been teaching at Dance Workshop 2 ever since. For more information on class schedules and rates, see the Dance Workshop 2 website. 

Welcome home Julie! 

Public Hospital District Commissioner Bill Williams shares this letter…

Bill Williams – Kathy Ballard photo

Earlier this week I forwarded a draft resolution to the commissioners of the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1. If approved, the resolution would authorize the drafting of a contract with Mount Baker Planned Parenthood for sexual health and reproductive health services. The issue will be placed on the agenda of the February 22 regular Public Hospital District meeting.

Each commissioner will be given the opportunity to speak for or against the resolution and a vote by the commissioners will be taken. If a decision is made to draft a contract, the contract would be placed before the Board for approval at a subsequent regular Board meeting.

Bill Williams, MHA
Public Hospital District Commissioner
San Juan County Public Hospital District #1
williams [@] sjcphd.org
(360) 298-0929

Mike Vouri – Contributed photo

Join Mike Vouri on a walk that encompasses several trails and stories, from the First Nations and American Indians, to the Royal Marines and U.S. and British settlers (with a little nature too).

Saturday, February 25th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

Meet at the English Camp parking lot. Dogs on leashes okay.

For more information, send an email to:
info [@] sanjuanislandtrails.org

Chico is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Look, I’m not going to lie. Sometimes I drink out of the toilet. And I’ve also been known to explore the contents of a trash can – but strictly for research purposes.

Aside from that, I’m a very sweet guy and I love, Love, LOVE you. You’re actually my favorite person and I know we would have so much fun together.

Did I mention I’m a very good hugger? My name is Chico. I’m here at the animal shelter waiting for you.

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
111 Shelter Road
(360) 378-2158